or British. If the latter, the contingency, on which the authority in the Executive to take possession of the province depends, has happened; and if they be black, as is also reported, the presumption is, that they are British.

Since the rejection of the bill in the Senate, the President thinks that it will be most advisable to withdraw the troops from East Florida, provided British troops have not landed in it, and in that event also, provided they be superior to any force which we have in that quarter. In no view of the subject, would it be proper, at this season, to keep our troops there unless we had the means, and circumstances authorized the government to take possession of the whole province, in which case they might be quartered in the most healthy situations.

In taking measures to execute this instruction, the President requests that you will communicate with the Spanish commandant, and stipulate the best conditions in your power in favour of the revolutionary party. It is presumed that considerations of policy will induce the Spanish authorities to accede to your demands, and to observe any arrangement which may be made in their favour.

This object is not to be considered as abandoned. Under the existing law an important duty is enjoined on the Executive, which must be attended to and discharged, as soon as adequate means can be provided, after the contingency occurs on which it depends. It is also probable, even should that contingency not occur, that the consequences of the war may give a new view of the subject, in the course of the year, and induce Congress, at the next session, to authorize the President to take possession of the country.

In entering into war with Great Britain, it is not the wish of the United States to extend it to Spain, provided it can be avoided consistently with their rights, their honour, and interests. You will apprize the Spanish authorities of this truth. The United States consider West Florida as theirs of right, by cession from France, as a part of Louisiana. In permitting any portion of it to remain in the possession of Spanish troops, since the treaty with France in 1803, they have given a proof of their desire to cultivate friendship with the government of Spain, which

desire has been more evident since the disorganized condition of that power.

Having a claim on Spain to indemnity for spoliations in the last war, sanctioned by the Spanish government, by a convention signed by its minister in 1802, but never ratified; and the Spanish government having treated with the United States in 1805 for the cession of East Florida, with a view to indemnity, the United States have looked to that province, with that view, since. The connection which has subsisted for some years between Spain and Great Britain, and the actual hostility of the British government to this country, considering the important relation of East Florida to the United States, affording to Great Britain, if it should come into her possession, ample means to annoy the commerce of the western states, and of harassing, by the influence it would secure her over several powerful Indian tribes, our southern and western frontiers, have made it of late more an object to the United States to prevent the occupancy of that province by British troops. The little importance of this territory to Spain, its connection with the United States, and real importance to them, the just lien which they have on it, are considerations, which, it was expected, would have induced the Spanish regency to have yielded the possession of it amicably to the United States during the war, reserving the conditions of its final cession for adjustment, after the termination of the war. It has caused no little surprise to see a different spirit prevail in that body, and the pertinacity with which the just claims of the United States are resisted. The President desires that you will impress the Spanish authorities with a thorough conviction, that the introduction of British troops into that quarter will be considered as a proof of a hostile disposition in the regency towards the United States, which will produce their immediate expulsion from the province, and its occupation by the troops of the United States, if it does not lead into other consequences.

I have the honour, &c.

JAMES MONROE.

P. S. If the British have landed any force in East Florida, as the contingency alluded to will have occurred,

you are hereby authorized to maintain your ground against it, provided you should be of opinion, that it may be done consistently with a due regard to the safety of our troops.

Extracts of a Letter from Governour Mitchell to Mr. Monroe. St. Marys, July 17, 1812.

"By letters which I have received from members of the state delegation, in Congress, I have been induced to believe, that an act would have passed as soon as war was declared, authorizing the President to take possession of the posts, yet occupied by the Spaniards in the two Floridas; and by some expressions in your communications, these expectations were confirmed. Under these impressions I have remained here making every preparation for that event. You may therefore judge of my surprise and mortification at the information I have received by this evening's mail, that the Senate had rejected a bill which had been passed by the House of Representatives, for the purpose of authorizing the immediate occupancy of the entire provinces.

"Enclosed you will receive copies of a correspondence which has taken place between the new governour of East Florida and myself; and by it you will perceive that I have carefully avoided making any proposition for withdrawing the troops, under the fullest conviction that such a step was not intended; and I feel that it is a duty I owe the United States, and Georgia in particular, to assure you, that the situation of the garrison of St. Augustine will not admit of the troops being withdrawn.-They have armed every able bodied negro within their power, and they have also received from the Havanna a reinforcement of nearly two companies of black troops. An additional correspondence to that now enclosed, has taken place between the governour and myself, in which I have called his attention to the introduction of this description of troops, and it is my decided opinion that if they are suffered to remain in the province, our southern country will soon be in a state of insurrection. In addition to which I have not the least doubt but that they will be soon farther

reinforced by the same kind of troops from the British West Indies."

"I have ordered such reinforcements to the support of colonel Smith, as I deemed necessary to enable him to maintain his ground, and to prepare him either to meet any reinforcements which might be received by the Spaniards, or to take possession, if ordered.

"Under present circumstances I shall leave this for Milledgeville, by Savannah, in a few days.-Should any imperious circumstances require my presence at a future day, I will return, unless the President shall deem my attendance unnecessary.

"I cannot at this moment make up a detailed account of my expenses, or the expenses incident to the transportation of troops, &c. &c. but it shall soon be sent on. In the mean time I have drawn for my expenses here."

I am, &c.

D. B. MITCHELL.

TRANSLATION.

Governour Kindelan to Governour Mitchell.

May it please your Excellency,

I HAVE this day arrived in this city, and taken command of it and of the province, as civil and military governour, named by the most serene regency of Spain, who, in absence of our adored sovereign, Ferdinand the seventh, happily reigns.

I advise your excellency thereof, on purpose that the good harmony which ought to felicitate the respective territories under our charge, and more particularly in consequence of being instructed, that on the 17th March last, several American gun-boats, stationed in the river St. Marys, entered our waters in a hostile manner, and threatened the town of Fernandina, in Amelia Island, apparently taking an active part in an insurrection, prepared, collected, and from appearances, raised in that country, with the premeditated design of taking possession of the province now under my command, which has actually been the case with a part of it, as the regular troops of the United States are in possession of the aforesaid territory,

and encamped in the vicinity of this city (all of which, as I understand, by the orders of general Matthews,) notwithstanding our respective governments are on the best terms of peace and friendship. The aforesaid proceeding is an act of hostility, which, taken in any point of view, would induce both nations to take part in disputes, that most probably have no other origin, but the ambition and intrigue of a few base and designing revolutionists.

Your excellency must consider that my duty don't allow me the tolerance for a single instant, of the continuance of said troops in the province under my charge, and consequently (although with pain) I shall be obliged, if they do not withdraw, to take disagreeable measures, the sole blame of which must be attached to the promoters of so unjust an aggression; and therefore, in the name of my august sovereign, Ferdinand the seventh, and of the Spanish nation, I invite your excellency's first step to be, an order to the aforesaid troops under your command, to withdraw from the Spanish territory in eleven days from this date, not in the least doubting but that your excellency, well convinced of the powerful motives which I have for exacting this demonstration of your sincerity, will readily carry it into effect, as it is so interesting to humanity and the happiness of the frontier.

Your excellency may be well persuaded that under all other aspects and circumstances, I would wish to render you my services, from the high consideration I have for the virtues which adorn your personal character.

This will be delivered to your excellency by Mr. Joseph M. Arredando, and I beg your excellency will be pleased to return by him your answer as soon as possible, granting him a passport for this place.

May God preserve your excellency many years. SEBN. KINDELAN. St. Augustine, E. F. 11th June, 1812.

The above is a true translation from the original, done by the superior orders of his excellency, the governour. B. SANCHEZ.

St. Augustine, E. F. 11th June, 1812.